All posts by Joanna Louise McCreedie

James, Banking and Financial Services

Banking and Financial Services, economics, ,

In May of his final year James, studying Economics with International Study applied to the Career Mentor Scheme and was matched with a Management Consultant at IHM Associates Ltd.

This mentor studied Economics and Economics History at Exeter. Some of his previous employers include Union Bank of Switzerland, PwC, WJ Calder Sons & Co and Sutton Valence School.

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Through the scheme James achieved all his objectives, such as obtaining job hunting resources in the sector and obtaining help with application forms. He told us more details about his experience.

Were there any other objectives you achieved?

Gaining  knowledge on a specific programme – The Mountbatten Institute and assessing whether it was suitable for me.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

It was very useful to have somebody to talk to and bounce ideas off, somebody who knows the industry standards and workings. I particularly liked the critical side and the fact that my mentor would challenge me and was happy to say if he disagreed with my ideas. This was very useful!

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Apply! Whether you’re looking for answers to specific questions or just somebody to chat to because you’re totally lost like I was, it’s a great scheme and well worth the small amount of time it takes to apply.

The highlight for his mentor was:

“…meeting someone different. Not just a new person but a student who had already graduated, so the focus was really on his employability and getting him in front of potential employees.”

William, Management and Consultancy

Art History and Visual Culture, English, Management and Consultancy, ,

William was in his second year of doing English and Film Studies when he applied for the Career Mentor Scheme and was matched with a Revenue Director at Microsoft Corp.

After graduating from Exeter, this mentor went into Management and Consultancy. His recent previous employment includes being Head of Business Development at MSN Asia between 2008 and 2012 and Head of Commercial Partnerships between 2012 and 2014.

During the mentoring partnership William achieved all objectives he had. He improved his confidence to seek graduate level employment and obtained help to prepare for the next steps. He also developed his interview techniques and gathered information about the sector entry requirements. He shared some insight with us at the end of the scheme.

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What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Gaining insight into the world of media and advertising from an inside perspective.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

The scheme is a great way to gain a different perspective on a chosen career path, from a professional who has experience in the field you are interested in. Even if the result is that you decide that this career is not for you, it is better to have learnt this before you actively pursue that path.

 

 

Susannah, Media, Publishing and Journalism

Media Publishing and Journalism, Philosophy, Politics and International Relations, , , ,

Susannah did a Philosophy and Politics degree. In her second year she applied to the Career Mentor Scheme and was matched with a mentor in Media, Publishing and Journalism – Home Affairs Correspondent at BBC South West.

Her mentor is an experienced professional in this sector. He has previously worked as a radio newsreader and presenter and as a news reporter at ITV.

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Susannah gave us more details about their successful 6-month partnership.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

My mentor, is amazing – he’s a constant source of support for me and always there when I need his help. He’s come onto campus and filmed friends and I for a segment on a BBC report he was doing, taking the time to show me how all the equipment and filming works. When I mentioned I was interested in journalism internships in America, he introduced me to a friend of his who offered invaluable advice and help with my applications.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into entry requirements for masters courses, what I should be doing now.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

You’ll learn invaluable advice through taking part in the scheme, and it gives you a huge heads up on your chosen profession.

Her mentor said:

“[The highlight for me has been] seeing Susannah grow, develop and extend her abilities and experience in media.“

Paige, Charity and Development Work

Business and Management, Charity and Development Work, Computer Science, , , , , ,

During her second year Paige, Computing and Management student, was matched with the Communications and Project Manager at Oxford Brookes University.

This mentor is experienced in Advertising, Marketing and PR, Charity and Development Work, and HR. Her previous employment includes HR Emergency Coordinator at Oxfam and Internal Communications Adviser at Oxfam. Since 2010 she has been working at Oxford Brookes University.

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Paige revealed more details about the ways in which the scheme helped her.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

I thoroughly enjoyed the work shadowing opportunity. It gave me great insight into the working day and job sector and I felt that I learned more on that day than if someone simply told me about it.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The work shadowing and insight into my chosen profession were most useful. It was helpful to find out the pros and cons of the chosen profession and the work shadowing opened up some more job options that I hadn’t previously considered.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Throw yourself into it. By doing so you will gain the most from it.

Her mentor said:

“[The highlight for me was] helping to shape my mentee’s thinking around her career direction” 

Lauren, Law and Legal Services

History, Law and Legal Services, Politics and International Relations, ,

During her third year Lauren, History student, applied for a mentor in the Law and Legal Services sector, in which she was interested in pursuing a career. Her mentor, Group Leader, at Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co. LLP has many years of experience in the industry.

After graduating from Exeter, this mentor worked at Simmons & Simmons for five years and then moved to Slaughter and May, where he spent ten years, the second half of the period as a Partner. In 2000 he joined Wragge & Co as a partner and in 2009 he became a Group Leader. As such his responsibilities are to manage a group of 27 partners in three offices and working in the commercial, employment, pensions and projects area.

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Lauren had an outstanding experience being mentored. She achieved all objectives which were set at the beginning of their partnership, including learning about the sector entry requirements and improving her confidence. What she found most useful were the interview tips Michael gave her.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

My mentor was very accommodating and made himself available whenever I had any questions. The immediacy of professional advice was invaluable and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing his perspective of the recruitment process as an employer.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Absolutely do it! The scheme is incredibly flexible and you are completely in charge of your contact with your mentor – you can work this out with them to suit both of you. You can get invaluable viewpoints from a working professional in a sector you are interested in at the drop of a phonecall or email and may have a contact for life.

Andrew, Healthcare and Wellbeing

Healthcare and Wellbeing, Sport and Health Sciences, , ,

In his final year Exercise and Sport Sciences student Andrew was looking for an insight into the Healthcare and Wellbeing sector. Through the Career Mentor Scheme he was matched with a Clinic Director at Flex Physical Health.

An Exeter graduate, this mentor has previously been employed at Devon and Cornwall Police as a Force Physiotherapist.

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Andrew discussed with us some of the advantages he felt the scheme gave him. He achieved all of his job hunting objectives such as improving his interview techniques and increasing his knowledge of finding work experience. Andrew also developed personal skills, such as confidence building and received help with his CV as well as academic support. What is more, Andrew received work experience and developed an understanding of the entry requirements for the sector. He found the insight into his chosen profession to be the most useful benefit from the Career Mentor Scheme.

Please let us know some of the highlights for you during the scheme.

Meeting with an established expert allowed me to discuss and uncover more information about their specific field and how to be successful in applying for jobs within it.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

An insightful experience to communicate personally and informally with an expert in their field which you otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to do.

Katie, Customer Service

Customer Service, economics, , ,

Whilst in her second year of doing Economics with Industrial Experience Katie applied to the Career Mentor Scheme and was matched with a Centre Manager at Land Rover Experience, as her mentor.

This mentor has a wide experience of working in Customer Service, having worked in positions such as a Support Team Leader at Barclays Bank, Senior Partner at Clydesdale Bank and Relationship Manager at Santander.

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Katie told us more about the experience of being mentored for six months. Through the scheme she managed to achieve many career objectives, such as gaining a better understanding and insight into the industry.  What she found most useful from the mentoring experience was the networking opportunities, getting recruitment information along with developing her interview techniques and gaining work experience.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Attending a networking Chamber of Commerce lunch with my mentor and setting up work experience in a bank for summer.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

It’s a really worthwhile scheme and it’s really great to be able to have an outside perspective on careers from someone who is in your chosen industry and who has done it all before you. Make the most out of it and be enthusiastic, if you are willing to put more into the scheme with your Mentor then it’s likely you’ll get more out of the process – don’t just take the scheme as something to put on your CV and say you’ve done.

 Her mentor’s personal highlight of the scheme was:

“It was an honour to be part of this University scheme and what worked well for me was the ability to meet my mentee in person, on campus, to work through their objectives.”

Laurel, Media, Publishing and Journalism

Drama, English, Media Publishing and Journalism, , , ,

During her second year English and Drama student Laurel successfully applied to be mentored by a freelance journalist and PR consultant. Her mentor guided Laurel into the Media, Publishing and Journalism sector for a period of half a year.

This mentor has a wide variety of professional experiences. She started as a reporter for the Falmouth packet weekly newspaper and then for the Harrow Observer. She then moved on as a Chief Sub-Editor at Travel Trade Gazette to then become a freelance feature writer for women’s magazines, writing for Prima, Business Travel World, Easyjet Inflight, Mother & Baby amongst others.

Laurel found being mentored extremely useful and shared more about the experience with the Career Mentor Scheme team.

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What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

It was so interesting to hear about my mentor’s experiences and to receive advice about the field of journalism. I learned lots of new things and feel like I also improved my own skills. Meeting my mentor in person was the highlight as it enabled me to put a face to the name and get to know her better. She set me different tasks, gave me lots of feedback and answered all my questions about the industry of journalism; it was a really enjoyable day.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I received guidance from my mentor on my CV and applications, which helped me secure a work experience placement with a magazine in London this summer.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Taking part in the Career Mentor Scheme has greatly improved my confidence. It was extremely useful to learn from an industry professional; I am hugely excited by the things I have learned and look forward to putting them into practice in my future endeavours. There’s really nothing to lose!

The highlight for her mentor was:

“Felt I helped, and she secured two work placements at the end of it!”

Emma, Retail

English, Retail, , ,

During her final year of doing English, Emma Pegg was mentored by the CEO of the White Company. Emma was looking to go into Retail and she received guidance and advice for getting into the sector.

This mentor has great experience in the industry. An alumnus of the University, he has previously been President of MIM, who have 300 stores in France and Belgium and also a Group Managing Director of New Look Retailers.

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Emma gave us details of her experience of the scheme.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Two weeks work experience at The White Company’s head offices in Kensington.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The work experience and the networking opportunities.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Go for it! Through the scheme, I’ve been able to work in a fantastic company and use it as a launch-pad for further opportunities. The experience is what you make of it though, so be proactive when networking.

Kelly, Healthcare and Wellbeing

Healthcare and Wellbeing, Sport and Health Sciences, , ,

During her Paediatric Exercise and Health postgraduate study Kelly applied for a mentor in the Healthcare and Wellbeing sector. She was matched with a retired Chief Executive of Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

This mentor has accomplished a Masters of Philosophy from Nottingham and a Masters of Science from Oxford after he graduated from Exeter.  He has also got a PhD from Sheffield. His previous employment includes working as a Trustee and Advisor for Sentebale charity and as a Deputy Chief Executive at Barnardo’s. He also worked as a Chief Executive at Thomas Coram Foundation.

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At the end of the six months, Kelly discussed with us the benefits of the scheme to her personally.

She achieved all job hunting, personal development and career objectives she had set to herself. An additional outcome she achieved was improving her presentation skills with the help of her mentor.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the career mentor scheme. It was so valuable to receive help and advice from a caring and friendly mentor. I feel that I have a vastly improved CV, in addition to gaining a wealth of advice in other areas including interview techniques and presentation skills.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The whole experience was useful! It was really helpful to receive guidance in compiling a strong CV and to create networks and contacts for both now and the future.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

The career mentor scheme is such a fantastic opportunity that will prove beneficial in both the short and long term. You will have an opportunity to engage with a willing professional and receive a broad range of support, from learning how to compile an effective CV to gaining valuable contacts and networking opportunities. Simply just having somebody to discuss your thoughts with regarding both your current studies and future career is hugely beneficial. I would definitely recommend this scheme to all students, and the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it!

The highlight of the scheme for her mentor was:

“The opportunity to understand, a little more, the pressures experienced by university students in 2012 and to offer some support”